eMotimo TB3

(Image courtesy of Justin Majeczky)

eMotimo TB3 – 3-axis motion control camera robot
Capture moving time-lapse, video, stop-motion more easily and more affordably than ever. The eMotimo TB3 is the highest value motion control device on the market. It offers repeatable three-axis motion control for less than many competitors’ single-axis products. The eMotimo TB3 is portable, strong, and lightweight making it the perfect addition to your DSLR or video camera kit. While most people buy the TB3 for its proven time lapse capabilities, each shot sequence take is frame by frame repeatable, to allow you to create stunning visual effects with video and stop motion. The eMotimo TB3 is easy to use, intuitive, and extends your creative possibilities. Our guided user interface separates you from the complexities typically associated with motion control. This allows you to take your head out of the technology and put it back into your art. With seven easy to follow on-screen prompts, you can set up shots that just aren’t possible with other controllers. On a mountaintop, or in your studio, the eMotimo TB3 helps you to capture your moments in motion.

eMotimo TB3 Premium Operating System (OS) includes (not available on TB3 Orange):

The TB3 premium OS includes all of the features of the TB3 Basic OS, with the additional features: listed below:

3-point keyframing

Manual triggering (stop-frame animation)

External triggering (bulb ramping solution)

Dragonframe integration

Giga Panorama

Power / battery / electrical requirements

AC adapter:
The TB3 ships with a 12V USA wall adapter. Plugging in unapproved power sources can damage your TB3. Use one of these when you are close to an outlet or in a studio.

External battery:
Accepts industry standard 12V DC power supply through a 2.1×5.5mm barrel jack (use a supply that can provide at least 1Amp continuous or 1.3Amp if using additional motor output). Learn more >

TB3 Product Map

What connects to the eMotimo TB3? Take a look at our product map below:

TB3 Black Firmware:

Added video move upgrades: The TB3 has always been repeatable, but now we have smoother, faster, time accurate video moves for the 2 Point Setups. This is great for those shooting visual effects or live action.

Added new in shot menu: From the in shot pause screen you are now able restart your move, end your move, go to specific frame in move, or resume.

Added continuous loop mode: Auto repeat for parallax moves to allow your TB3 to perform as a robotic cameraman for 2 Point Moves.

Added portrait panorama: Also coined as the Brenizer Method from Ryan Brenizer, this allows you to shoot shallow depth of field panorama portraits. The outcome looks surreal and photoshopped when in fact optically untouched.

Added new joystick feel: Exponential moves make it easier to hit your marks quickly and accurately on all three axis. This saves you time and is more precise than a push button solution.

Added delayed start: The delayed start feature now includes a countdown timer and a bailout feature so you aren’t resetting if you accidentally added a delay.

Added fast and feathered return to starts: Allows those of you overloading the TB3 to get back to the starts faster while preventing camera shake.

1) Install install Arduino version 1.6.5. STOP. Let us repeat, download the 1.6.5 version of Arduino. If you have older or newer versions of Arduino on your system either uninstall them or manage your default program settings. The older and new versions will compile our code and break certain function. Please only use 1.6.5. Click here for a link to the Arduino downloads page.

2) Download the eMotimo TB3 firmware (TB3_Black_109). Unzip the source code to a known location. Use the Extract All instead of just dragging files. For example, if you unzip to your desktop, you would see the following structure to you right.

The foldername –TB3_Black_109_Release1.ino is important and cannot be changed.

3) Double click on the file– TB3_Black_109_Release1.ino. This will open the Arduino environment with all the supporting code necessary to compile your code.

*** Don’t double click any other file, or the code will only open partially and will not compile.

4) The top portion of the Arduino environment should look like the image below. Keep an eye out to make sure you can see all the tabs. This is the code guts and if you are missing code guts, the code won’t compile and your TB3 might explode. Just kidding, but keep an eye out.

**Important note – if you are running parallels or some Windows emulation program from you Mac, it is better to setup the Arduino environment directly on OSX. Some users have had trouble finding the right USB com port in emulation software.

Install Arduino version 1.6.5. If you have older or newer versions of Arduino on your system either uninstall them or manage your default program settings. Click here for a link to the Arduino downloads page.

2) Download the eMotimo TB3 firmware (TB3_Black_109). . Unzip the source code to a known location. Once unzipped, your folder should look like the image to the left:
The folder name –TB3_Black_109_Release1 is important and cannot be changed.

3) Double click on the file – TB3_Black_109_Release1.ino. This will open the Arduino environment with all the supporting code necessary to compile your code.

4) The top portion of the Arduino environment should look like the image below. Keep an eye out to make sure you can see all the tabs. This is the code guts and if you are missing code guts, the code won’t compile and your TB3 might explode. Just kidding, but keep an eye out.

*** Don’t double click any other file, or the code will only open partially and will not compile.

6) Press the checkbox button at the top of the Arduino Environment. This compiles our code.

7) Click the upload button to push the new code to your eMotimo TB3. Wait 20-40 seconds while the code uploads to the TB3. “Upload Complete” will show in the status bar at the bottom.

8) Unplug the TB3 from the USB and power up using 12 volt power to get out and play.

TB3 Orange firmware:

Here is the latest release of the TB3 Orange firmware:
<eMotimo_TB3_R1_6_3_35_No_Pause – Power saving without Pause feature – start here as we have had several reports now of the Pause feature causing issues with SMS shoots.
If uploading, you will also need to install the eMotimo extra libraries. To do this, download the zip and COPY out the 6 folders with their contents in the zip directly in the following folder:
My Documents\Arduino\libraries\ for windows or
Documents\Arduino\libraries\ for mac.